News
Beware of money received from politicians
Ms Kathleen Addy
Voters in the upcoming elections have been advised to be mindful of the source of money shared by politicians.
According to her, such monies were possibly from drug deals, human trafficking, organ trafficking, gun running which she said were negative and the country or individuals would not want to be involved with.
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Kathleen Addy gave the advice on Wednesday at a press briefing dubbed ‘NCCE election 2024 parliamentary candidates’ dialogues.’
The dialogues are important fixtures on the commission’s election year calendar and fulfills the requirements regarding functions of the commission.
According to her, the source of most of these monies shared by politicians were questionable.
“If politicians go and take this money and come and share to you, it means as a country we now have a relationship with people who are anticipating organised crime, and the consequences are severe and dire,” she added.
She mentioned that, research had shown that, for parliamentary primaries, candidates need to raise between $200,000 and $250, 000 minimum to be able to successfully execute a parliamentary primary, adding that that money was just being shared to citizens.
Ms Addy said Ghanaians therefore have a role to play in ensuring that the culture of monitisation was expunged from the country’s political culture, and rather build strong democratic groups and set rigorous criteria for those who seek power.
That, she said will enable politicians to deliver, adding that when voters receive money, it will be difficult to vote for candidates who have the interest of the people at heart.
Touching on the dialogues, she said the commission has successfully commenced the 2024 Parliamentary Candidates’ Dialogues across the 275 constituencies in the country.
She said these dialogues were part of an ongoing commitment to foster an informed electorate and promote peaceful, issue-based elections in Ghana.
“The NCCE Parliamentary Candidates’ Dialogues (PCDs) are platforms for interaction at the constituency level and provides avenues for candidates to articulate their vision and policies for the constituency they want to lead and engage with constituents on issues of national concern.
Ms Addy said the significance of the dialogue included encouraging civic engagement, enhancing political accountability, fostering peaceful elections, strengthening democratic institutions, bridging the communication gap and gives NCCE the opportunity to remind all citizens of the role of parliamentarians.
She mentioned that some parliamentary candidates of the major political parties were refusing to participate in the dialogues, citing a plethora of excuses and described it as unfortunate.
“The NCCE is urging all political parties to ensure that their parliamentary candidates actively participate in the dialogues. It is also an opportunity to highlight the policies of the parties,” Ms Addy said.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Pres Akufo-Addo inaugurates 2 projects
President Akufo-Addo (middle), being assisted by Herbert Krapa (right) Virgenia Palmer (second from right), US Ambassador to Ghana, Brain Herlihy (extreme left), Chief Executive Off
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday inaugurated the Ghana Bridge Power Project (GBPP) and the Flowerpot Interchange at Kpone Katamanso and Ledzokuku municipalities of the Greater Accra Region.
The project is to improve traffic flow and stimulate socio-economic activities in the region.
He announced that 14 interchange projects are currently underway across the country, emphasizing the government’s commitment to completing them on schedule.
“These projects are part of the administration’s broader infrastructure development plan aimed at improving transportation and boosting economic growth. “We are building a new Ghana. A nation that works for everyone,” he stated.
Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, cautioned the public against erecting unauthorised structures along the intersections and medians of the newly constructed interchange.
He added that despite challenges government faced, it still remained determined to achieve the goal of improving the country’s road infrastructure.
News
153 apprentices in Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality receive start-up kits
Kosi Yankey Ayeh
153 apprentices, who have successfully completed training in various vocations in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, have received start-up kits to establish their own businesses.
The beneficiaries were given sewing machines, hair dryers, spraying and welding machines, and a certificate.
Distributing the start-up kits to the beneficiaries at a graduation ceremony in Ahwetieso, Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), in a speech read on her behalf said, these aspiring entrepreneurs have honed valuable skills in hairdressing, baking and confectionery, sewing and welding skills that would empower them to transform their passion into sustainable enterprises.
She encouraged them to use the skills and resources they have gained to make a meaningful impact in their communities and added that, they should not hesitate to reach out to their Business Advisory Centre’s whenever they had challenges.
Mrs Yankey-Ayeh said the Apprenticeship Programme, a vital component of the Business in Box Project, was a collaborative initiative between the GEA and Mastercard Foundation.
She said the government of Ghana, remained steadfast in its commitment to providing dignified and sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
According to her, since 2017, the GEA had facilitated the creation of over 109, 471 jobs, with an impressive 67 per cent benefiting women.
Mr George Mireku Duker, Member of Parliament for the Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency and the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, observed that it was better to equip the youth who were eager to work than to give them a token.
The laudable programme, he said, must be replicated everywhere for the teeming youth, who were struggling to get jobs, so they could establish themselves for a better future.
Mr Duker stated that he had distributed equipment to support thousands of youths in his constituency and was therefore happy that the government was also committed to getting this programme done.
Mr Benjamin Kessie, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tarkwa Nsuaem Assembly said, through the programme 250,000 jobs would be created within four years by the implementers, who were on course.
He expressed gratitude to the President, Vice President, and the MP for initiating the programme to aid the youth, adding that the MP from day one had worked so hard to ensure that the youth in his constituency got a fair share of these equipment.
